Mira Costa, Redondo Union set for rivalry series on the diamond

Fighting to remain in playoff contention, Mira Costa and Redondo Union’s baseball teams prepare for a two-game series next week that would most likely end postseason hopes for a team that is swept.

Redondo will host the first game on Wednesday before the teams square off Friday at Carl Osterhaus Field. Both games are scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m.

Peninsula, the league favorite and second-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 3, fell to West Torrance 3-2 in nine innings last Friday to tighten the Bay League race with both teams entering the week with 3-1 records.

Mira Costa swept Leuzinger 7-0 and 21-0 while Redondo dropped two games to Palos Verdes 2-0 and 5-2 giving the three schools identical 2-2 records.

Peninsula (17-5, 4-1) remained in first place with a 3-1 win at Mira Costa (9-17, 2-3) on Wednesday. Will Proctor pitched 6 2/3 innings to keep Mira Costa within striking distance.

Mira Costa finishes its two-game series against Peninsula on the road Friday, May 2 at 3:15 p.m.

Redondo (13-10, 3-2) moved into a second-place tie with a 9-5 win at West (11-12, 3-2). Cassius Hamm hurled 6 1/3 innings and went 1 for 2 with a triple at the plate. Duncan McKinnon went 2 for 3 and Cain Castor hit a solo home run for the Sea Hawks.

Mira Costa’s Will Proctor threw 6 2/3 strong innings to keep the Mustangs in the game against Peninsula. Photo by Ray Vidal

Redondo wraps up its series against West with a Youth Night on Friday at 7 p.m. Little League, Pony and Club teams are invited to wear team/league colors and will receive free admission, a hot dog and infield play after the game.

“The Mira Costa games are always important because they generally have league championship implications,” said Redondo head coach Jeff Baumback. “We don’t place any more importance on that series then any other series though. This league is very competitive and we have to play our best every week if we want to be in the hunt for a Bay League Championship. I hope once the series comes with Mira Costa we are in a position that those game are very meaningful.”

Offensively, the Sea Hawks are led by first baseman Castor and shortstop McKinnon. At press time, Castor was batting .349 with 4 doubles, 2 homeruns and 16 RBI. Duncan was hitting at a .418 clip with 5 doubles, 2 homeruns, 13 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Hamm has an impressive 2.06 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched.

Mira Costa young team has had an up-and-down year with five sophomores starting at times.

“Recently we have played better as guys seem to be adjusting to varsity,” said Mira Costa head coach Cassidy Olson. “We have played a tough schedule with two tournaments down in Orange County and unfortunately, we have seven one-run losses, but hopefully that has prepared us well for league.”

Sophomore Trevor Franklin has been the ace on the mound for the Mustangs.

“Senior leaders Cooper Griffith and Greg Whittaker have been great all year,” Olson said. “To finish strong and have a shot at a league title, we will need to play more consistent and follow those guys.”